Feed distributor



July 6 1926. I 1,591,479

J. c. ERICKSON FEED DISTRIBUTOR Filed Feb. 26. 1924 IIQVENTbR. J .C. Erickson Patented July 6, 1926.

UNIT D STATES 1,591,479 PATENT OFFICE.-

JOHN C. ERIOKSON, OF COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO.

FEED DISTRIBUTOR- Application filed. February 26, 1924. Serial 'No. 695,242.

The device is particularly adapted for use in connection with sorting screens in which an even distribution of the material is highly advantageous, and it is capable of efficient service in the treatment of both dry and wet. divided materials.

By constructing the distributor so that the curvature of its slanting and flaring surface may be varied, the device is readily adjusted to effect a spreading movement as hereinbefore described, of materials of differing degrees of frictional resistance or by changing the inclination of the surface a similar result may be attained.

An embodiment of my invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings in the several views of which like parts are similarly designated and in which- Figure 1 represents a face view of the dis tributor in its operative position;

Figure 2, a partially sectional side elevation of the same;

Figure 3, a transverse section in a plane at right angles to the surface of the distributor taken along the line 8-3, Figure 1;

Figure 4, a sectional-side elevation of the distributor showing a modification in its construction; and

Figure 5, an end view of the device illus trated in Figure 4:, looking in the direction of the arrow A.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the reference numeral 5 designates a structure of suitable size, form and construction including a top frame which extends in an inclined position above the screen or other apparatus onto which the material under treatment is to be fed.

The top frame consists in the construction shown in the drawings of two downwardly diverging longitudinal members 6- upon which are fastened adjacent the ends thereof, two transverse pieces 7 and 8 of seg-- mental form,-

The two pieces correspond in leng h to th width between the diverging members of the supporting structure atthe points at which the pieces are fastened, and the altitudes of their arcs differ in ratio totheir lengths,

The two curvilinear cross pieces of the structure conjointly support the element wh ch provides the slanting, longitudinally flaring and transversely curved surface w ich nstitutesthe distinc iv atur o the invention and in the construction illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, this element consists of a sheet l8 of flexible metal tapering in conform ty with the angula p siti of the membersb and reenfor ced along its longitudinal edges by angle bars 9L The bars 9 not only function as a strengthening means, but also provide upstanding flanges which restrict the transverse movement of the material sliding downwardly upon the surface of the sheet.

The sheet is curved transversely and rests at its ends upon the cross pieces of the supporting frame and its side bars are engaged by the hook-shaped heads of bolts 10 passing through holes in the longitudinal members of the frame.

Nuts 12 screwed upon the threaded extremities of the bolts engage the members at the underside thereof, and provide a simple and ready means for adusting the degree of curvature of the flexible sheet.

In the construction shown in Figures 4 and 5, a floor 13 is laid upon the cross pieces of the supporting frame and a covering 14: of metal, canvas or other suitable material, is rigidly fastened upon the floor. In this form of the invention the curvature of the surface of the distributor is made. in accordance with the requirements of a particular material and can not be adjusted.

The flow of the material longitudinally of the surface is obviously dependent on the angle of inclination of the same and it will be readily understood that by any simple expedient such as the hinges 16 and the bolts 15 shown in Figure 4:, the angle may be regulated in accordance with the nature of the material under treatment.

In the operation of the invention the material fed onto the inclined surface at the upper end thereof moves downwardly by gravitation and as the material slides along the surface it spreads automatically owing to the transverse curvature and gradually increasing Width thereof. In spreading over the surface of the distributor, the ma terial gradually assumes the form of a layer of substantially even thickness so that when it is eventually discharged across the lower edge of the surface it is uniformly and evenly distributed.

It will be evident that the distributor is highly advantageous in that its operation is entirely automatic and independent of mechanical devices as are usually employed in appliances heretofore used for the distribution of ores and other materials and I desirev it understood that variations in the construction of the slide-surface and its supporting structure or in the material of which it is composed or in the method of its adjustment, may be resorted to without departing from the scope and spirit of my in vention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A feed distributor comprising an inclined, longitudinally flaring and transversely curving surface, and means for varying the curvature of said surface.

2. A feed distributor comprising an inclined, longitudinally flaring and transversely curving surface, and means for varying the degree of inclination of said surface.

3. A feed distributor comprising a flexible element providing an inclined, longitudinally flaring and transversely curving sur face, and means for adjusting the curvature of said surface by flexure.

4-. A feed distributor comprising an adjustably supported longitudinally flanged flexible element providing between its flanges, an inclined, longitudinally flaring and transversely curving surface, and means acting upon said flanges for varying the curvature of the surface.

5. A feed distributor comprising a flexible element providing an inclined longitudinally flaring and transvresley curving surface, and means acting upon the sides of the element for varying the curvature of its surface.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

JOHN C. ERICKSON. 

